AmeriCorps Timeline
1960s
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), the Foster Grandparent Program, and the Senior Companion Program (which today comprise National Senior Service Corps) are formed.
1961
President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps.
1964
As part of the "War on Poverty," President Lyndon B. Johnson creates VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), a National Teacher Corps, the Job Corps, and University Year of Action.
1970
The Youth Conservation Corps engages 38,000 people ages 14 to 18 in summer environmental programs.
1980s
National service efforts are launched at the grassroots level, including the Campus Outreach Opportunity League (1984) and Campus Compact (1985), which help mobilize service programs in higher education; the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps (1985), which helps replicate youth corps in states and cities; and Youth Service America (1985), through which many young people are given a chance to serve.
1989-1990
President George Bush creates the Office of National Service in the White House and the Points of Light Foundation to foster volunteering.
1990
Congress passes, and President Bush signs, the National and Community Service Act of 1990. The legislation authorizes grants to schools to support service-learning (Serve America, now known as Learn and Serve America) and demonstration grants for national service programs to youth corps, nonprofits, and colleges and universities.
September 1993
President Bill Clinton signs the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, creating AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National Service to expand opportunities for Americans to serve their communities. VISTA becomes part of AmeriCorps.
September 1994
The first class of AmeriCorps members (20,000 strong) begins serving in more than 1,000 communities.
1997
AmeriCorps expands by introducing the Education Awards Program, which allows more organizations to join the service network--nonprofits, faith-based organizations, colleges and universities, welfare-to-work programs, and other groups.
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), the Foster Grandparent Program, and the Senior Companion Program (which today comprise National Senior Service Corps) are formed.
1961
President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps.
1964
As part of the "War on Poverty," President Lyndon B. Johnson creates VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), a National Teacher Corps, the Job Corps, and University Year of Action.
1970
The Youth Conservation Corps engages 38,000 people ages 14 to 18 in summer environmental programs.
1980s
National service efforts are launched at the grassroots level, including the Campus Outreach Opportunity League (1984) and Campus Compact (1985), which help mobilize service programs in higher education; the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps (1985), which helps replicate youth corps in states and cities; and Youth Service America (1985), through which many young people are given a chance to serve.
1989-1990
President George Bush creates the Office of National Service in the White House and the Points of Light Foundation to foster volunteering.
1990
Congress passes, and President Bush signs, the National and Community Service Act of 1990. The legislation authorizes grants to schools to support service-learning (Serve America, now known as Learn and Serve America) and demonstration grants for national service programs to youth corps, nonprofits, and colleges and universities.
September 1993
President Bill Clinton signs the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, creating AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National Service to expand opportunities for Americans to serve their communities. VISTA becomes part of AmeriCorps.
September 1994
The first class of AmeriCorps members (20,000 strong) begins serving in more than 1,000 communities.
1997
AmeriCorps expands by introducing the Education Awards Program, which allows more organizations to join the service network--nonprofits, faith-based organizations, colleges and universities, welfare-to-work programs, and other groups.